Page 3811 - Week 11 - Thursday, 24 November 2022
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(c) phosphorus from grass clippings and leaves entering ACT waterways is a substantial contributor to the blue-green algae population in Lake Tuggeranong;
(d) according to work undertaken by the University of Canberra, sediment in Lake Tuggeranong released 111 kilograms and 113 kilograms of phosphorus in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons respectively;
(e) modelling from the University of Canberra suggests that approximately 80-100 kilograms of phosphorus is sufficient to maintain current algal bloom outbreak conditions in Lake Tuggeranong;
(f) the State of the Lakes and Waterways in the ACT report, prepared by the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment in May 2022, identified a range of impacts on the lake’s water quality, including nutrients, sediment, animal faeces, litter, urban development and organic waste from across the catchment area;
(g) the importance of ensuring that the grass clippings from household and government mowing do not enter the storm water system and the lake, preventing any possible contribution to water quality problems; and
(h) after substantial rainfall over the past few months, Transport Canberra and City Services staff have been working around the clock to keep ACT public spaces mowed;
(2) further notes:
(a) the ACT Greens made a $30 million election commitment to invest in the ACT’s healthy waterways;
(b) ACT Labor made an election commitment to continue delivery of a ten-year plan for Lake Tuggeranong and to improve urban lakes and waterways;
(c) the ACT Government has undertaken a comprehensive series of reforms to address blue-green algae and water quality in Lake Tuggeranong and other catchments. Initiatives completed in the $6.5 million Stage 1 of the ACT Government’s Healthy Waterways package included:
(i) 19 water quality assets, including wetlands, rain gardens and waterway restoration; and
(ii) two research projects exploring the link between pollution in stormwater and Lake Tuggeranong, and the occurrence of algal blooms in the lake;
(d) Stage 2 of the ACT Government’s Healthy Waterways program included an additional $14 million through to June 2023, and has committed to:
(i) 11 new water quality assets across Tuggeranong and Belconnen;
(ii) an expansion of the Leaf Collective;
(iii) collaboration with public and private landowners to reduce fertiliser use in catchment areas;
(iv) extension of the University of Canberra’s research in the Lake Tuggeranong Catchment; and
(v) support for the development of new modelling and reporting tools;
(e) in November 2021, the ACT Legislative Assembly resolved to continually update and modify standard operating procedures to minimise grass clippings from entering stormwater drains and waterways; and
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